Conductor manifold for current distributors



June. 13, 1933. C s ow CONDUCTOR MANIFOLD FOR CURRENT DISTRIBUTORS Filed Nov. 19, 1930 ilk Patented June 13, 1933 UNITED STATES HERBERT C. SNOW, OF AUBURN, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO MANNING 82; CO., OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS CONDUCTOR MANIFOLD FOR CURRENT DISTRIBUTORS Application filed November 19, 1930. Serial No. 496,637.

This invention relates to improvements in conductor manifolds for current distributors and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a manifold of this kind, which 1s supported upon thecap of the distributor of an ignition system and maintains the various conductors leading from the distributor in an orderly arrangement and at the same time protects themagainst oil and Water and consequent short circuits.

Another object of the invention is to provide a manifold of this kind which gives easier access to the distributor points, simply by removing the manifold and cap to which the manifold is attached.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a manifold of this kind which when, 'used upon a distributor of the type which turns bodily in the advancing or retarding thereof, holds the various current conductors so that there is no abrasion or rubbing therebetween when such turning movement is imparted to the distributor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a manifold of this kind which is simple to produce, is easily assembled and is indeed otherwise eflicient for its intended purpose.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section of a manifold of this kind .embodying my invention as when applied to the current distributor of an automobile or like engine.

Fig. 2 is a view on an enlarged scale and partly in top plan elevation and partly in longitudinal horizontal section of the manifold shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through a part of the manifold as taken on the lines 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4'is a transverse detail sectional View through one end of manifold as taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing 1 indicates the cylinder head of a multicylinder automobile engine having an upright boss 2 at one side thereof midway between its ends and in which is journalled the upright shaft 3 of a distributor 4. Said distributor includes a body 5 and a cap 6 detachably connected thereto by the spring fingers or clips 7 in the usual manner. 8 indicates an arm secured to the body of the distributor whereby the same may be turned in one direction or the other, to advance and retard the points thereof with respect to the rotation of the shaft 3. This arm of course, is connected up in the usual manner with the arm or lever on the steering wheel-or instrument board whereby such advancing and retarding may be carried out.

9 indicates as a Whole the improved manifold associated with said distributor. The manifold in this instance which is preferably made in the form of an elongated, hollow or tubular casing of sheet metal comprises a base or bottom 10 and a cover or top 11 having a substantially tight frictional fit upon the base.

Said base is of a diameter at its middle so as to approximate the diameter of the cap 6 and tapers toward its ends and includes a fiat bottom wall 12 and short upright side walls 12 12. The central portion of the bottom wall of the base is formed to provide a depending annular flange 13 adapted for a snug tapering fit upon the cap of the distributor as best shown in Fig. 1. On the median line of the base, upon each side of the flange 13 are openings 14 in each of which is secured a bushing 15 of insulation, preferably of relatively soft rubber.

The top or cover is of an outline shape corresponding to that of the base and includes a top wall 16 and short depending walls 16 -46 to snugly fit upon the outside of the upright walls 12 of the base. Preferably the central portion of the cover is cupped or convexed upwardly as at 17 to provide more room or space above the distributor without increasing the depth of the entire manifold from end to end.

The extreme ends of both the base and cover are slightly flared as at 9 and surrounding each end just back of the flared part 9 is a spring clip or wing 9 to assistin holding the base and cover in assembled relation. This clip or ring is open at one side so that its arms may be sprung apart in its application to and its removal from the manifold. Thus with such a clip, accidental separation between the base and cover is impossible.

18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 indicate the current conductors leading from the distributor to the various spark plugs 26 in the cylinder head. As shown herein there are eight of such conductors, one for each plug of the engine, and each leads from its respective terminal in the distributor to the associated spark plug. 27 indicates a current conductor leading from the coil to the center terminal of the distributor.

The conductors 18 and 19 lead from the cap of the distributor out of the extremity of one end of the manifold, the conductors 20 and 21 lead out of the bushings 15 in the bottom. of the said end of the manifold, the conductors 22 and 23 lead out of the bushings 15 in the other end of the manifold while the conductors 24, 25 and 27 lead out of the extremity of said last mentioned end of the manifold.

By making the cover of the manifold as described, sufficient space is provided about the distributor cap for the various conductors .as they approach said cap and consequently while their arrangement is somewhat snug, they cannot entangle with or abradeagainst each other to the extent of producing wear that results in short circuits.

The manifold has a good snug fit upon the distributor cap and should it be desired to inspect or clean the points thereof, the manifold can be removed with the cap when the same is removed from the body of the distributor after loosening the spring clips or fingers 7.

Should it be necessary to inspect the top terminals in the cap, only the cover need be removed from the manifold and this will expose all conductors as well as the terminals in said cap.

In such a removal of the cover, the clips or rings 9" must first be removed and then replaced, after the cover has been again applied to the base.

IVhen the distributor is of the kind in which it is turned as an entirety with respect to its shaft in advancing or retarding, all conductors are so held in the manifold that there is no relative movement between them to produce wear.

The manifold is simple in construction, protects the associated conductors from deterioration due to exposure to oil and water and gives a neater and more compact appearance to the entire ignition system of the engine with which it is used.

IVhile in describing the invention, I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts thereof, the same is to be considered merely as illustrative of one embodiment of the invention so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 2-- 1. In combination with a current distributor and associated current conductors of an ignition system, a hollow manifold comprising interengaging parts, one of which includes means formed for supporting engagement upon said distributor and enclosing portions of said conductors directly associated with said distributor, said manifold being formed at its ends and in its bottom for the passage of other portions 0 said conductors therethrough.

2. In combination with a current distributor and associated current conductors of an ignition system, a hollow manifold comprising top and bottom parts one of which is formed for supporting engagement upon said distributor, said parts enclosing portions of said conductors directly associated with the distributor and formed at its ends and bottom for the passage of other portions of the current conductors therethrough.

3. In combination with a current distributor and associated current conductors of an ignition system, a hollow manifold formed at its middle with an annular flange for supporting engagement upon said distributor and formed at its ends and at points between said ends and its middle for the passage of portions of said conductors therethrough.

4. A manifold of the kind described comprising coacting parts formed to provide a hollow casing with an opening at each end, one of said parts being formed at its middle with an annular engage upon a part of the current distributor of an ignition system.

5. A manifold of the kind described comprising top and bottom coacting part-s pro viding a hollow casing open at each end, the bottom part having an annular flange at its middle to supportingly engage upon a part of the current distributor of an ignition system.

6. A manifold of the kind described comfiange to supportingly prising top and bottom coacting parts pro viding a hollow casing open at each end, the bottom part having an annular flange at its middle to supportingly engage upon a part of the current distributor of an ignition system and having at least an opening therein between said ends and said flange.-

7. A manifold of the kind described, comprising top and bottom parts coacting to provide a hollow casing open at each end and a spring clip removably surrounding said casing near each of its open ends.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 13th day of November, 1930.

15 HERBERT O. SNOW. 

